DESIGN

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does design mean? 

• DESIGN (noun)
  The noun DESIGN has 7 senses:

1. the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

2. an arrangement scheme

3. something intended as a guide for making something else

4. a decorative or artistic work

5. an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

6. a preliminary sketch indicating the plan for something

7. the creation of something in the mind

  Familiarity information: DESIGN used as a noun is common.

• DESIGN (verb)
  The verb DESIGN has 7 senses:

1. make or work out a plan for; devise

2. plan something for a specific role or purpose or effect

3. create the design for; create or execute in an artistic or highly skilled manner

4. make a design of; plan out in systematic, often graphic form

5. create designs

6. conceive or fashion in the mind; invent

7. intend or have as a purpose

  Familiarity information: DESIGN used as a verb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DESIGN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

design; designing

Context example:

he contributed to the design of a new instrument

Hypernyms ("design" is a kind of...):

creating by mental acts (the act of creating something by thinking)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "design"):

planning (the act or process of drawing up plans or layouts for some project or enterprise)

Derivation:

design (make a design of; plan out in systematic, often graphic form)

design (plan something for a specific role or purpose or effect)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An arrangement scheme

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

design; plan

Context example:

a plan for seating guests

Hypernyms ("design" is a kind of...):

arrangement; organisation; organization; system (an organized structure for arranging or classifying)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "design"):

hotel plan; meal plan (a plan and a room rate for providing a room and meals to guests at a hotel)

snare; trap (something (often something deceptively attractive) that catches you unawares)

layout (a plan or design of something that is laid out)

configuration; constellation (an arrangement of parts or elements)

Derivation:

design (plan something for a specific role or purpose or effect)

design (make or work out a plan for; devise)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Something intended as a guide for making something else

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

blueprint; design; pattern

Context example:

a pattern for a skirt

Hypernyms ("design" is a kind of...):

plan; program; programme (a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished)

Sense 4

Meaning:

A decorative or artistic work

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

design; figure; pattern

Context example:

the coach had a design on the doors

Hypernyms ("design" is a kind of...):

decoration; ornament; ornamentation (something used to beautify)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "design"):

argyle; argyll (a design consisting of a pattern of varicolored diamonds on a solid background (originally for knitted articles); patterned after the tartan of a clan in western Scotland)

marking (a pattern of marks)

weave (pattern of weaving or structure of a fabric)

triskele; triskelion (a figure consisting of three stylized human arms or legs (or three bent lines) radiating from a center)

tetraskele; tetraskelion (a figure consisting of four stylized human arms or legs (or bent lines) radiating from a center)

tattoo (a design on the skin made by tattooing)

sunburst (a design consisting of a central disk resembling the sun and rays emanating from it)

screen saver ((computer science) a moving design that appears on a computer screen when there has been no input for a specified period of time)

pyrograph (a design produced by pyrography)

polka dot (design consisting of a pattern of regularly spaced circular spots)

mihrab ((Islam) a design in the shape of niche in a Muslim prayer rug; during worship the niche must be pointed toward Mecca)

mandala (any of various geometric designs (usually circular) symbolizing the universe; used chiefly in Hinduism and Buddhism as an aid to meditation)

linocut (a design carved in relief into a block of linoleum)

herringbone; herringbone pattern (a pattern of columns of short parallel lines with all the lines in one column sloping one way and lines in adjacent columns sloping the other way; it is used in weaving, masonry, parquetry, embroidery)

emblem (special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.)

device (any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery))

decal; decalcomania (either a design that is fixed to some surface or a paper bearing the design which is to be transferred to the surface)

damascene (a design produced by inlaying gold or silver into steel)

bear claw (an incised design resembling the claw of a bear; used in Native American pottery)

motif; motive (a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration)

Derivation:

design (create the design for; create or execute in an artistic or highly skilled manner)

design (create designs)

Sense 5

Meaning:

An anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

aim; design; intent; intention; purpose

Context example:

he made no secret of his designs

Hypernyms ("design" is a kind of...):

end; goal (the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "design"):

idea; mind (your intention; what you intend to do)

cross-purpose (a contrary aim)

final cause ((philosophy) the end or purpose of a thing or process)

sake (the purpose of achieving or obtaining)

view (purpose; the phrase 'with a view to' means 'with the intention of' or 'for the purpose of')

will (a fixed and persistent intent or purpose)

Derivation:

design (intend or have as a purpose)

design (conceive or fashion in the mind; invent)

design (make or work out a plan for; devise)

Sense 6

Meaning:

A preliminary sketch indicating the plan for something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Context example:

the design of a building

Hypernyms ("design" is a kind of...):

sketch; study (preliminary drawing for later elaboration)

Derivation:

design (plan something for a specific role or purpose or effect)

design (make a design of; plan out in systematic, often graphic form)

Sense 7

Meaning:

The creation of something in the mind

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

conception; design; excogitation; innovation; invention

Hypernyms ("design" is a kind of...):

creative thinking; creativeness; creativity (the ability to create)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "design"):

concoction (the invention of a scheme or story to suit some purpose)

contrivance (the faculty of contriving; inventive skill)

Derivation:

design (make or work out a plan for; devise)

design (make a design of; plan out in systematic, often graphic form)

• DESIGN (verb)

Conjugation:

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make or work out a plan for; devise

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

contrive; design; plan; project

Context example:

plan an attack

Hypernyms (to "design" is one way to...):

create by mental act; create mentally (create mentally and abstractly rather than with one's hands)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "design"):

plot (devise the sequence of events in (a literary work or a play, movie, or ballet))

concert (contrive (a plan) by mutual agreement)

map; map out (plan, delineate, or arrange in detail)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE

Sentence examples:

Did he design his major works over a short period of time?
They design the cape

Derivation:

design (the creation of something in the mind)

design (an arrangement scheme)

design (an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Plan something for a specific role or purpose or effect

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Context example:

This room is not designed for work

Hypernyms (to "design" is one way to...):

designate; destine; intend; specify (design or destine)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Derivation:

design (an arrangement scheme)

design (the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan))

design (a preliminary sketch indicating the plan for something)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Create the design for; create or execute in an artistic or highly skilled manner

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

Chanel designed the famous suit

Hypernyms (to "design" is one way to...):

create; make (create by artistic means)

Verb group:

design (create designs)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "design"):

cut; tailor (style and tailor in a certain fashion)

make up (devise or compose)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence example:

Did he design his major works over a short period of time?

Derivation:

design (a decorative or artistic work)

designer (someone who creates plans to be used in making something (such as buildings))

designer (someone who designs clothing)

designing (the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan))

Sense 4

Meaning:

Make a design of; plan out in systematic, often graphic form

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

design; plan

Context example:

plan the new wing of the museum

Hypernyms (to "design" is one way to...):

create by mental act; create mentally (create mentally and abstractly rather than with one's hands)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "design"):

engineer (design as an engineer)

redesign (design anew, make a new design for)

blueprint; draft; draught (make a blueprint of)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

designer (someone who creates plans to be used in making something (such as buildings))

designing (the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan))

design (the creation of something in the mind)

design (a preliminary sketch indicating the plan for something)

design (the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan))

Sense 5

Meaning:

Create designs

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

Dupont designs for the house of Chanel

Hypernyms (to "design" is one way to...):

create; make (create by artistic means)

Verb group:

design (create the design for; create or execute in an artistic or highly skilled manner)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sentence example:

Did he design his major works over a short period of time?

Derivation:

design (a decorative or artistic work)

designer (someone who designs clothing)

designer (a person who specializes in interior design)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Conceive or fashion in the mind; invent

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

She designed a good excuse for not attending classes that day

Hypernyms (to "design" is one way to...):

conceive; conceptualise; conceptualize; gestate (have the idea for)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

design (an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions)

Sense 7

Meaning:

Intend or have as a purpose

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Context example:

She designed to go far in the world of business

Hypernyms (to "design" is one way to...):

intend; mean; think (have in mind as a purpose)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE

Derivation:

design (an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions)

 Context examples 

He accounted it a pity that so fine and talented a young man should have formed the design of going out as a missionary; it was quite throwing a valuable life away.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

It could well be a design project—if so, your ideas are likely to turn out to be stellar.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

A system designed to ensure adequate representation of minority groups in clinical trials.

(Minority-Based Community Clinical Oncology Program, NCI Thesaurus)

A chemotherapy regimen consisting of repetitive, low doses of chemotherapy drugs that are designed to minimize toxicity.

(Metronomic Chemotherapy, NCI Thesaurus)

A needle-shaped part designed to indicate a position on a scale.

(Meter Needle Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)

When he was gone, I rang for Mrs. Crupp, and acquainted her with my desperate design.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Event in which the device software design results in errors of medication preparation or administration.

(Medication Error Due to Software Problem Associated with Medical Device, Food and Drug Administration)

Based on the structure-function relationships they identified, the researchers then designed another few dozen peptides for further testing.

(Venom of Wasp, Bee Repurposed as Antibiotic Drug, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Captain Wentworth left his seat, and walked to the fire-place; probably for the sake of walking away from it soon afterwards, and taking a station, with less bare-faced design, by Anne.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

A device consisting of a polished surface designed to reflect light.

(Mirror Device Component, NCI Thesaurus)